Atrial fibrillation in old age: current treatment options

Abstract

In older age, patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a high risk of stroke, bleeding, and death, but such patients have been underrepresented in randomized clinical trials. A search and analysis of 4 176 literature sources from the MEDLINE/ PubMed  and eLIBRARY  databases  was carried out for the keywords  «atrial fibrillation», «old age», «older», «elderly». The review includes  the most important  studies reflecting  the current understanding of risk factors for development, complications and treatment of AF in old age. The results of therapy to control the ventricular rate, to control sinus rhythm in AF with  drugs  and  catheter  ablation  are discussed. The data of studies  on the prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with AF by the use of anticoagulants and implantable devices are considered.